Industrialists decry ban on gas supply
Urge federal govt to immediately withdraw decision taken by Power Division
Industrialists have expressed grave concern over the decision taken by the government to cut gas supply to all industrial units from February 2021, terming it a counterproductive move.
In a statement, North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry (NKATI) President Faisal Moiz Khan, while opposing the decision taken by the Power Division, urged the federal government and Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar to immediately withdraw the decision.
Labelling it as unwise and anti-industry move, he requested the government not to make decisions that would hamper production activities, otherwise industrialists would stop relying on government policies and would be reluctant to invest in future.
Pandemic, locust batter agriculture sector
Farmers suffered heavy losses as lockdowns disrupted supply
DESIGN: IBRAHIM YAHYA
The pandemic delivered a heavy blow to many sectors of the economy but the agriculture sector may have been the only one hit with the dual threat of Covid-19 and locust infestations. While on the one hand rains lashed across the country, unfavourable weather conditions on the other caused substantial damage to many crops.
This was not the only trouble facing the sector, as negligence of authorities to promote research and development also hampered growth.
An integral part of Pakistan’s economy, agriculture contributes over 19% to GDP and employs about 39% of the country’s total labour force, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Not only this, the sector also has a significant share in the country’s exports.